Drugs charities in the North East have a new weapon in the fight against addiction - money seized from the dealers.

Drugs charities in the North East have a new weapon in the fight against addiction - money seized from the dealers.

New laws introduced this year mean that money can be taken from the bank accounts of convicted drug dealers, and Teesside charities are reaping the benefits.

PANIC, (Parents and Addicts against Narcotics in the Community), based in Stockton, is the only charity in Britain to receive the maximum £15,000 award under the new Confiscated Assets Scheme.

The charity has been active in the Stockton area for the past three years.

Spokeswoman Tina Williams said: "This money is a great help, and means that we can employ a manager for the next six months. This means we can train people and move the project forward."

PANIC has been run up until now on a voluntary basis, and the new money will help it to tackle what is a major social problem in the North East.

"Cleveland has the second highest number of people needing treatment for drug problems in the country, higher than Liverpool or Manchester, so we need to extend our project," said Ms Williams.

In the coming weeks the charity will move into new premises in Nelson Terrace, following a further grant from Stockton Council. There will be a drop-in centre and a helpline for anyone with concerns about drug-related issues.

The group is also continuing to press for people with drugs problems to be rehabilitated in the community rather than sent to prison.

A second Teesside charity, the Anokee Women's Group, received £3,000 from the fund. The group, also based in Stockton, provides resources and information on drugs issues for members of the Asian community in Cleveland.

A total of £300,000 has been taken from the fund and given to various groups around the country. The Home Office asked the charity Drugscope to distribute the cash.

Roger Howard, chief executive of Drugscope, said: "It is great to see the drug traffickers' profits being redirected to begin solving the problems they helped to create.

"It's vital that drug related problems are addressed by local groups, and I'm sure the award will be a valuable tool in helping to bring about change in Cleveland."